Customer Reviews

American Gothic - The Complete Series

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was addicted to this series when it first aired. I taped it and even bought the 'unaired' episodes from someone in Australia where they were broadcast. It was a series that was well before its time -- with structure, production values and themes that are only now being matched in serialized dramas like 24 and Lost (where layer upon layer of meaning are revealed as the series progresses). CBS didn't understand the show at all, they pulled some episodes and ran others out of order. Oddly, in a bow to tv history or whatever, the dvd reproduces the episodes in the order they were broadcast rather than the order in which they were intended to be viewed. The dvd set would also have benefitted from remastering the audio into 5.1 format. So, perhaps fittingly, the legacy continues. This is brilliant television, that remains misunderstood by those attempting to cash in on its greatness. Even with the deficiencies, this is must see material for people taken by shows like Lost and Invasion. Here is the correct viewing order:

01. Pilot
02. A Tree Grows in Trinity
03. Eye of the Beholder
04. Damned If You Don't
05. Dead to the World
06. Potato Boy
07. Meet the Beetles
08. Strong Arm of the Law
09. To Hell and Back
10. The Beast Within
11. Rebirth
12. Ring of Fire
13. Ressurector
14. Inhumanitas
15. Plague Sower
16. Dr. Death Takes a Holiday
17. Learning to Crawl
18. Echo of Your Last Goodbye
19. Triangle
20. Strangler
21. The Buck Stops Here
22. Requiem

it was great to see this short-lived show again, i was a little disappointed that it hadn't been remastered, that is the clarity and color and sound were a little lacking but as i said i'm just glad Amazon had it so that i can enjoy it all over again. was a little pricey though when i bought it.
American Gothic - The Complete Series

I give 3 stars because while the show itself deserves maybe a 4.5, the dvd set gets a 2, so I sorta averaged it.

I've started a petition to get Universal to make a NEW Special Edition dvd set for "American Gothic".

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/need-a-special-edition-dvd-with-more-features

Shaun Cassidy's TV series "American Gothic" was released on dvd in October, 2005. The "Complete Series" dvd box set was anxiously purchased by fans who had been waiting 10 years since the show first aired.

While fans were grateful to have this set, there were some complaints. The episodes were double-sided and not of the greatest quality. The episodes were put on out of the intended order making it confusing for new fans to really know what was going on, and making it over-all a pain to have to keep switching discs/sides to see them in the proper order.

While it DID include some deleted/extended scenes, and a commentary with Shaun Cassidy and David Eick for the Pilot episode, that is hardly enough to satisfy true AG fans! We need more!

Please take a moment to sign this petition to tell Universal to make a new "Special Edition" set and to get it right this time!
The petition will run until January 24th, 2008.

It was breathless anticipation for several weeks before my Amazon package containing AG finally arrived in the mail. A lot of friends dimly recall the show, but few all the gory details. Now, after nine (9) episodes, my wife is an addict, and friends are trading favors to borrow my set when we are done!

Patience is required with this series, as the pilot does well at setting the stage, but momentum takes about 6 or 7 episodes to build. A lot of character development and glimpses of the true nature of this small town and it's all-powerful and controlling sherrif Lucas Buck.

Several pivotal characters develop dimensionality - including a more than usual number of strong female roles.

My favourite aspect of this show is how the various players, through their own actions and motivations, lead themselves into unfortunate circumstances and an eventual realization that they have only themselves to blame for their predicaments - sometimes with fatal consequences.

Is there evil afoot in Trinity, South Carolina, or is it merely human nature at it's worst? With some of the stories, it is difficult to tell.

Highly recommended for those wanting a spookfest without R-rated gore scenes.

"There's someone at the Door!"
"You been dead 'n' all Marle', you come visit now, you 'ear!"

And who can ever forget Sheriff Buck! Dark, omnipresent and always with a wide and easy solution to every problem...or was it? Absolutely BRILLIANT!

Now, if only they had not decided to let his dark ...presence influence this DVD release!
Episodes that follow neither the intended nor the aired order; total absence of any Extras; not to mention the flimsy box!

Enjoy the magic. But probably RENT it...

American Gothic was ahead of its time. It would be like seeing supernatural back then. Would it have survived also, I really doubt it. This television show brought about real entertainment in a time when the networks were reinventing their fall line ups with fresh new ideas. If American Gothic was on air now I am sure it would have lasted a lot longer then it did. Anyone who gives this show a low - average rating is probably very shallow minded and overly critical. You know the types, the ones you would hate to work with everyday because they think they are super intelligent when actually you secretly hate them and want them hit by a bus before you start work? If you want a good story line with excellent characters then I highly recommend this DVD box set.

I should have read the U.S. reviews before the purchase. Double sided DVD's are dodgy at best. My first copy of American Gothic jumped and froze especialy on Disc 2 Side B at the end of episode 9 then started at about 23 minutes into episode 10. No scratches or noticeable blemishes on disc. Amazon Canada were kind enough to send a replacement disc and upon inspection of the discs, Disc 2 Side B had a 3 inch heavy duty scratch from the outer layer to the inside. No play at all.
Great series but would be advisable to purchase from Amazon.co.uk for about $48 Candian dollars at the moment.
All the best from Craig in Sydney.